Publications

Boilover of a crude oil burning in an ice cavity (diameter of 31 cm). Melting of the ice cavity walls forms a water layer below the hot oil. Because this water sub-layer is fully covered by the oil, the water cannot evaporate as it is heated up. This causes the water to superheat to temperatures of 120 – 150 °C, at which point it violently evaporates through the oil slick, ejecting steam and oil droplets into the flame. The explosive nature of steam and oil droplets inside the flame causes a chain reaction, resulting in the explosive burning known as boilover.